Tupelo, Pontotoc honored by state main street group

Two Northeast Mississippi cities recently earned awards from the Mississippi Main Street Association for their efforts.
The Don’t Be Cruel BBQ Duel took home the award for Best Culinary Arts Event. Bev Crossen, the event coordinator, accepted the award.
The barbecue festival was March 15-16 in Fairpark in downtown Tupelo. In only its second year, it attracted more than 100 teams from across the country.
The event featured music, children’s activities and a barbecue tasting. Proceeds benefited the Link Centre.
Two Pontotoc projects also received awards.
The Hooked on Pontotoc event won Best Image or Branding Promotion.
Shane Crausby accepted the award for the Best Adaptive Reuse Project for his remodel of the Miller’s Texaco building in downtown Pontotoc. According to the Mississippi Main Street Association, this award recognizes “the best adaptive reuse of a building that has outlived its former use.”
Crausby converted the former gas station into a luxury residential unit.